The Montreal Canadiens Retired Jersey Numbers List

The Montreal Canadiens stand as the most decorated franchise in NHL history, with a legacy that stretches back over a century. With 24 Stanley Cup championships and countless legendary players who have graced the ice at the Forum and Bell Centre, the organization has honored its greatest heroes by retiring their jersey numbers. Understanding the Montreal Canadiens retired jersey numbers list provides insight into not just individual excellence, but the very fabric of hockey history itself.

The Canadiens lead all NHL teams with the most retired numbers, having permanently honored 15 different jersey numbers representing 18 legendary players. Three numbers have been retired twice to honor two different players who wore them with distinction. This comprehensive list tells the story of dynasties, championship glory, and players whose impact transcended the sport itself.

The complete Montreal Canadiens retired jersey numbers list

The Montreal Canadiens have systematically honored their greatest players throughout the decades, creating a collection of banners that hang proudly in the Bell Centre rafters. Each number represents not just statistical excellence, but players who embodied the spirit and tradition of hockey’s most storied franchise.

The retired numbers span from #1 to #33, with the notable addition of #99, which was retired league-wide for Wayne Gretzky. These 18 players combined for an astounding 79 Stanley Cup championships, demonstrating the winning culture that has defined the Montreal organization for generations.

Here is the complete list of retired numbers in chronological order of retirement:

• #7 - Howie Morenz (Retired November 2, 1937)
• #9 - Maurice “The Rocket” Richard (Retired October 6, 1960)
• #4 - Jean Béliveau (Retired October 9, 1971)
• #16 - Henri Richard (Retired December 10, 1975)
• #10 - Guy Lafleur (Retired February 16, 1985)
• #2 - Doug Harvey (Retired October 26, 1985)
• #1 - Jacques Plante (Retired October 7, 1995)
• #12 - Dickie Moore and Yvan Cournoyer (Both retired November 12, 2005)
• #5 - Bernie Geoffrion and Guy Lapointe (Geoffrion retired March 11, 2006; Lapointe retired November 8, 2014)
• #18 - Serge Savard (Retired November 18, 2006)
• #29 - Ken Dryden (Retired January 29, 2007)
• #19 - Larry Robinson (Retired November 19, 2007)
• #23 - Bob Gainey (Retired February 23, 2008)
• #33 - Patrick Roy (Retired November 22, 2008)
• #3 - Émile “Butch” Bouchard (Retired December 4, 2009)
• #16 - Elmer Lach (Also retired December 4, 2009, sharing with Henri Richard)
• #99 - Wayne Gretzky (Retired league-wide February 6, 2000)

The dynasty builders from the Montreal Canadiens retired jersey numbers list

Several players from the Montreal Canadiens retired jersey numbers list were instrumental in building championship dynasties that remain unmatched in professional sports. The 1950s Canadiens, in particular, created a legacy that saw them win five consecutive Stanley Cup championships from 1956 to 1960, a feat never duplicated in the modern era.

Doug Harvey, Jacques Plante, Maurice Richard, Bernie Geoffrion, and Dickie Moore were all key contributors to this remarkable run of dominance. Harvey revolutionized the defensive position by bringing an offensive dimension to blue line play, winning six Norris Trophies as the league’s top defenseman. His skating ability and hockey IQ made him the quarterback of those championship teams.

Jacques Plante not only backstopped those five consecutive championships but also revolutionized goaltending forever by becoming the first netminder to regularly wear a protective mask. His innovation came after taking a shot to the face during a game in 1959, and despite initial resistance from coaches and management, Plante insisted on wearing the mask. His seven Vezina Trophies speak to his consistent excellence between the pipes.

The 1970s brought another dynasty era, with Guy Lafleur, Ken Dryden, Larry Robinson, Serge Savard, Bob Gainey, and Yvan Cournoyer leading the Canadiens to four Stanley Cups in five years (1976-1979). This team combined offensive firepower with defensive prowess, and The Hockey Writers notes that these players formed one of the most balanced and dominant teams in hockey history.

Unique distinctions within the Montreal Canadiens retired jersey numbers list

The Montreal Canadiens retired jersey numbers list contains several unique distinctions that set it apart from other NHL teams. The organization has retired three numbers twice, honoring two different players who wore the same digit with equal distinction.

Number 12 was the first to receive this dual honor when both Dickie Moore and Yvan Cournoyer had their jerseys retired on the same day in 2005. Moore, known as one of the toughest players in league history, won two scoring titles despite playing through significant injuries. Cournoyer, nicknamed “The Roadrunner,” for his blazing speed, collected 10 Stanley Cup rings and a Conn Smythe Trophy in 1973.

Number 5 has been retired for both Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion and Guy Lapointe. Geoffrion, who popularized the slap shot and won six Stanley Cups with the Canadiens, had his number retired on March 11, 2006, which also happened to be the day of his passing. In a touching ceremony, his number 5 banner met at center ice with his father-in-law Howie Morenz’s number 7, and both were raised together. Lapointe’s retirement came in 2014, recognizing his contributions to the 1970s dynasty teams.

Number 16 belongs to both Henri Richard and Elmer Lach, who had their numbers retired simultaneously in 2009. Richard, “The Pocket Rocket,” holds the NHL record with 11 Stanley Cup championships as a player, while Lach was the playmaking center of the famous “Punch Line” alongside Toe Blake and Maurice Richard.

The goaltending legends in the Montreal Canadiens retired jersey numbers list

Goaltenders occupy a special place in the Montreal Canadiens retired jersey numbers list, with three netminders having their numbers permanently honored. These three goalies combined for 16 Stanley Cup championships and established Montreal as a franchise built on elite goaltending.

Jacques Plante’s #1 was retired in 1995, recognizing not just his six Stanley Cup wins but his revolutionary impact on the position. Beyond the mask, Plante was the first goalie to regularly venture behind the net to play the puck, effectively becoming a third defenseman. He would raise his arm to signal icing calls to his defensemen, a practice now standard in modern hockey.

Ken Dryden’s #29 went to the rafters in 2007, celebrating one of the most unique careers in NHL history. Dryden played only six regular-season games before leading the Canadiens to the 1971 Stanley Cup and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy, becoming the first player to win playoff MVP before winning Rookie of the Year. His iconic stance, leaning on his stick between plays, became one of hockey’s most recognizable images.

Patrick Roy’s #33 was retired in 2008, honoring a goaltender who won two Stanley Cups with Montreal and popularized the butterfly style that revolutionized modern goaltending. Roy’s intense competitive nature and ability to elevate his game in crucial moments earned him three Conn Smythe Trophies across three different decades, a feat unmatched in NHL history. His rookie performance in 1986, when he led the Canadiens to an improbable championship as a 20-year-old, cemented his legendary status.

Stories behind the Montreal Canadiens retired jersey numbers list

Every number in the Montreal Canadiens retired jersey numbers list comes with compelling stories that illustrate why these players transcended statistics. Maurice Richard’s impact extended far beyond his groundbreaking 50 goals in 50 games achievement, influencing Quebec culture and identity in profound ways.

When Richard was suspended for the final three games of the 1954-55 season and the playoffs following an on-ice incident, Montreal fans rioted in what became known as the “Richard Riot.” The suspension cost Richard the scoring title and ignited tensions around French-Canadian identity and treatment in the league. When “The Rocket” passed away in 2000, he became the first Canadian athlete to receive a nationally televised state funeral, with over 115,000 people filing past his casket.

Jean Béliveau’s #4 represents perhaps the most beloved figure in franchise history. “Le Gros Bill” was so popular playing for the Quebec Aces that the Canadiens eventually bought the entire Quebec Senior Hockey League just to secure his rights. According to historical accounts, Béliveau turned down the NHL for three seasons out of loyalty to Quebec City fans and the team that had built a new arena. His grace, leadership, and community involvement made him an iconic figure far beyond hockey.

The ceremony retiring Bernie Geoffrion’s number 5 on March 11, 2006, remains one of the most emotional in franchise history. Geoffrion had promised his wife Marlene, daughter of Howie Morenz, that his jersey would someday hang alongside her father’s #7. When Geoffrion passed away the morning of the ceremony, the Canadiens proceeded with the retirement. As #5 rose to the rafters, #7 was lowered, and when both numbers met at center ice, they were raised together in a poignant tribute to family and legacy.

Future considerations for the Montreal Canadiens retired jersey numbers list

While the Montreal Canadiens retired jersey numbers list already stands as the longest in the NHL, debate continues about which players deserve future consideration. Several members of the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players who spent significant time with Montreal have not yet been honored with retired numbers.

Toe Blake, who won three Stanley Cups as a player and eight more as the Canadiens’ head coach, remains unrecognized despite being one of the most successful figures in franchise history. His number 6 has not been officially retired, though it has been out of circulation since 1995 when the organization began honoring it unofficially.

Jacques Lemaire, who won eight Stanley Cups with Montreal and was a key two-way center during the 1970s dynasty, has supporters advocating for his #25 to be retired. Similarly, Steve Shutt’s #22 and his status as one of the greatest left wingers in franchise history has generated discussion about potential retirement.

The most recent debate centers on Carey Price’s #31 and whether his contributions warrant retirement despite never winning a Stanley Cup with Montreal. Price’s dominance during his prime years, including a Hart Trophy and Vezina Trophy in 2015, along with his Olympic gold medal and World Cup MVP performance, have made him arguably the best goaltender of his generation.

The organization has shown increasing selectivity in recent decades about adding to the Montreal Canadiens retired jersey numbers list. Guy Lapointe’s retirement in 2014 was the most recent addition, suggesting the franchise wants to maintain the exclusivity of this honor while ensuring that only the most legendary players receive permanent recognition.

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The Montreal Canadiens retired jersey numbers list represents more than just individual excellence; it encapsulates the history of hockey’s most successful franchise and the evolution of the sport itself. From Howie Morenz’s tragic death in 1937 to Patrick Roy’s revolutionary goaltending style in the 1980s and 90s, these 18 players defined what it meant to wear the bleu-blanc-rouge with honor and distinction.

As the Canadiens continue building toward future success, the banners hanging in the Bell Centre rafters serve as both inspiration and reminder of the standard expected of those who don the Montreal jersey. Whether the organization adds more numbers to this prestigious list remains to be seen, but the legacy of these legends will continue inspiring generations of hockey players and fans worldwide. The weight of history and tradition remains central to the Canadiens’ identity, making each retired number a permanent testament to greatness achieved and championships won.